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Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

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This easy Southern sweet potato casserole features a creamy, spiced sweet potato base topped with a crunchy, buttery pecan topping. It’s a crowd-pleasing comfort food perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large sweet potatoes (about 2.5 lb), peeled and cubed
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (or almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted (use vegan butter if preferred)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (can use coconut sugar)
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (use gluten-free blend if needed)
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Place peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to medium and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain well and let cool for 5 minutes.
  2. Transfer the cooked sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Mash thoroughly with a potato masher or beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
  3. Add melted butter, milk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Blend until well combined (about 2 minutes with a mixer, or 3-4 minutes by hand).
  4. In a small bowl, mix together chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the mixture is crumbly but sticks together when pressed.
  5. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the surface.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and slightly bubbly at the edges.
  7. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a lighter casserole, swap sugar for maple syrup or honey. Use walnuts instead of pecans for a different crunch. For vegan or dairy-free, use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and applesauce or flaxseed meal instead of eggs. If topping browns too quickly, tent with foil. For extra crunch, add raw sugar to topping before baking. Taste and adjust spices before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet potato casserole, pecan topping, southern comfort food, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving, easy casserole, gluten-free option, vegan option

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/sweet-potato-casserole-with-pecans-easy-southern-comfort-recipe/